EC notice to Odisha CM on 2014 poll expenditure irregularities

Bhubaneswar: Election Commission (EC) served a notice to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking explanation on alleged irregularities in 2014 poll expenditure.

As per the report published in a national media channel, the poll expenditure mentioned in affidavit of Patnaik is not matching with the affidavit submitted to the EC by the ruling party BJD.

Earlier, an allegation was leveled against Patnaik, the BJD president, for filing a false affidavit in 2014 election.

Based on the complaint filed by RTI activist Subash Mohaptara and BJP candidate Debananda Mohapatra, who lost the assembly poll from Hinjili over irregularities in poll expenses, the Supreme Court had directed the EC to look into the matter.

On the other hand, the BJD refuted such allegation against party chief Patnaik.

BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said that he was aware of the notice, but the notice is yet to be issued to CM. Appropriate reply will be made after getting the notice from EC.

Notably, RTI activist Subash Mohapatra had filed a petition in Orissa High Court in July alleging irregularities in the expenses during 2014 general elections. He sought disqualification of the CM as MLA for submitting a fake statement of expenses to the EC. Seeking transfer of the case to the Delhi High Court, he moved the apex court that rejected his plea.

The Orissa High Court in July this year asked the EC on a writ petition for completion of the probe against Patnaik.